So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.
2nd Corinthians 4:16 The Message
This verse made me think of soaking the dried lima bean in the wet paper towel in a clear glass jar in elementary school. Did you do that experiment? A hard, dried bean. You couldn't bite one, they were so hard. No soil. You didn't even wrap it up in the wet paper towel; you just stuck it in between the side of the jar and the paper towel. And there it was for all the world to see - on the window sill where it would get the sun's light. Dried bean with skin that starts to shrivel with the wet. Coming to life on the inside, but not able to tell from the outside. At least not right away. Then it's split and the sprout appears along with a whole root system. Almost before you know it, you've got a plant that's ready for good soil in order to produce a harvest.
We can feel that way in life sometimes. Hard, dried up. Stuck in a cold, hard place. However, if we get the washing with water by the Word, and some of the Son's light, it won't be long before we'll be having our own change on the inside. Maybe no one can see it right away, but we're getting rooted and grounded in the Word, and then we begin to grow in His grace. A new life in Christ!
Prayer:
Father,
Continue to soak the hardness out of our hearts and lives by the washing with water by Your Word. Cause our roots to sink deep and strong in You and produce a harvest of the good things You have planned for us to do. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
* What Did You Say?
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.
Proverbs 21:23-24 The Message
How many times have you thought, "I wish I didn't say that..."? For me, it's too many times. And we can't un-say what's been said. We can't make them un-hear it, and the heart that was pierced because of something we said can certainly be healed, but it will be scarred.
The keynote speaker at a recent safety meeting emphasized the power of words. He'd gone on to a project as the safety rep and asked the project team how many safety incidents they thought they would have during the project. Their reply was - given the circumstances and conditions, they thought they would have quite a few. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy. They did, indeed.
Then he chose tall men to volunteer for his next visual. He asked them to hold their arm straight out to the side at their shoulder height, and he told them he was going to press on it to try to make it go down and they were to resist. So he did a quick check, and sure enough, they all resisted. Then he instructed them to tell themselves three times, "I'm doing a lousy job," after which, he tested them again, and the arm came down somewhat. Then he put four people in front of them and instructed them each to say, "You are doing a lousy job!" When they finished saying that, the instructor pressed down on each of their arms, and they all failed, unable to resist.
By the same token, he then had the four say enthusiastically to the volunteers, "You are doing such a great job!" and each was able to fully resist the pressure on their arms. It was an eye-opening experience.
James 3:5a from The Message reads, A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! What are our words doing?
Prayer:
Father,
To quote the plaque on my wall, "Please keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth." Let my words be used to edify, encourage and to lift up. I don't want my mouth to be a weapon of mass-destruction in league with the enemy of our souls. Give me the strength, the courage and the wisdom to guard my mouth. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
Proverbs 21:23-24 The Message
How many times have you thought, "I wish I didn't say that..."? For me, it's too many times. And we can't un-say what's been said. We can't make them un-hear it, and the heart that was pierced because of something we said can certainly be healed, but it will be scarred.
The keynote speaker at a recent safety meeting emphasized the power of words. He'd gone on to a project as the safety rep and asked the project team how many safety incidents they thought they would have during the project. Their reply was - given the circumstances and conditions, they thought they would have quite a few. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy. They did, indeed.
Then he chose tall men to volunteer for his next visual. He asked them to hold their arm straight out to the side at their shoulder height, and he told them he was going to press on it to try to make it go down and they were to resist. So he did a quick check, and sure enough, they all resisted. Then he instructed them to tell themselves three times, "I'm doing a lousy job," after which, he tested them again, and the arm came down somewhat. Then he put four people in front of them and instructed them each to say, "You are doing a lousy job!" When they finished saying that, the instructor pressed down on each of their arms, and they all failed, unable to resist.
By the same token, he then had the four say enthusiastically to the volunteers, "You are doing such a great job!" and each was able to fully resist the pressure on their arms. It was an eye-opening experience.
James 3:5a from The Message reads, A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! What are our words doing?
Prayer:
Father,
To quote the plaque on my wall, "Please keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth." Let my words be used to edify, encourage and to lift up. I don't want my mouth to be a weapon of mass-destruction in league with the enemy of our souls. Give me the strength, the courage and the wisdom to guard my mouth. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Then They Will Be
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us.
Psalm 78:2b-3 NLT
We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
6 so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.
8 Then they will not be like their ancestors—
stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.
Psalm 78:4-8 NLT
Prayer:
Father,
Let us never tire of telling our children and grandchildren about Your Truths and glorious works! Let their hope be set on You alone, obeying all Your commands and living by Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen!
Psalm 78:2b-3 NLT
We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
6 so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.
8 Then they will not be like their ancestors—
stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.
Psalm 78:4-8 NLT
Prayer:
Father,
Let us never tire of telling our children and grandchildren about Your Truths and glorious works! Let their hope be set on You alone, obeying all Your commands and living by Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen!
Monday, January 12, 2015
* Blooming
When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!
Romans 8:11 The Message
He's done the same for us. We may have fallen between a rock and a hard place and just wanted to die. Nothing and no one to nurture us, to care for us. Perhaps in perilous, unsafe surroundings. It may appear as if there's no way for us to flourish and grow. Fact - All seeds must die before they can break forth with life. Truth - God the Giver of Life fashioned us to grow and flourish in Him before the foundation of the world. It doesn't matter what we didn't have or what we don't have now, God is our Provider.
In Him, we can bloom no matter what it looks like or where we're planted.
Prayer:
Father,
You are the Creator - Master of all Creation. You spoke it into being! You flung the planets, moons and stars into space into their perfect places. And You have placed us exactly where You want us. And the most amazing thing is that even if we pluck ourselves up and fall into a hard place, when we turn back to You we find that Jesus is our Rock and we can grow. Father, help those who have fallen into a hard place. Let them seek Your face like plants seek the sun. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Romans 8:11 The Message
My sister sent me an email with pictures of plants and trees growing in seemingly impossible places. Some were quite extraordinary. A few years back, God taught me a very valuable life lesson in this.
I was driving on a major highway here in Texas and a sapling was growing up out of the concrete on an overpass. For all practical intents and purposes, there was no way that seed should have rooted and grown there. It was concrete. There was not enough dirt, it had not been cultivated or properly prepared for growth, literally thousands of cars a day whizzing by at 70+mph. Nothing - absolutely nothing - that should have encouraged it to grow, let alone allowed it to flourish. And yet it did what it was supposed to do – what it was created to do – despite the circumstances because God the Giver of Life had fashioned that seed with life in it from the time He created the world.
He's done the same for us. We may have fallen between a rock and a hard place and just wanted to die. Nothing and no one to nurture us, to care for us. Perhaps in perilous, unsafe surroundings. It may appear as if there's no way for us to flourish and grow. Fact - All seeds must die before they can break forth with life. Truth - God the Giver of Life fashioned us to grow and flourish in Him before the foundation of the world. It doesn't matter what we didn't have or what we don't have now, God is our Provider.
In Him, we can bloom no matter what it looks like or where we're planted.
Prayer:
Father,
You are the Creator - Master of all Creation. You spoke it into being! You flung the planets, moons and stars into space into their perfect places. And You have placed us exactly where You want us. And the most amazing thing is that even if we pluck ourselves up and fall into a hard place, when we turn back to You we find that Jesus is our Rock and we can grow. Father, help those who have fallen into a hard place. Let them seek Your face like plants seek the sun. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Sunday, January 11, 2015
* Whatever Works
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
Recently, I was reminded of two things: 1) that we should be sure to tell our testimonies of what God has done for us so that others can be encouraged and praise God with us, and 2) that God will use whatever works to get us where we need to be. So let me do that.
At the turn of the millennium, my career was in transition. I had gotten a couple job offers from out of state and had actually accepted one. It seemed like a good choice. I had discussed it with my youngest child who had for all practical intents and purposes moved out when he graduated and went to Master's Commission. He was excited for me and encouraged me to take the position.
Everything seemed like it was okay, but I felt like there was one missing piece and I couldn't put my finger on it. However, I moved forward with the process because I couldn't find a reason not to. I was one week away from moving when I went to see my son in Waco to spend the weekend with him. We had a good visit and then Sunday afternoon, as we were having our last meal together for a while, I told him I still felt like there was a piece missing and I had the feeling it was going to come from him and asked him if he had anything he wanted to say. At that point, he confessed that he was not ready for me to be 15 hours away, after all, but he didn't want that to stop me. Immediately, I had total peace. It was the missing part. I told him I was a mom first and an employee second, and I wasn't going anywhere, and that God would work it out.
And He did. My employer was only too happy for me to stay. My future employer was very understanding and said we'd talk in a couple years, and life went on.
A few years later, I got another offer from the same company, but for a different position. It was actually for my life-long dream position - to earn my living as a writer. In my mind, it couldn't get any better - I had no higher aspiration. That was it! I thought the only thing better than that would be to actually be in Heaven.
I packed up, and headed out. I had a tentative start date and I figured I'd get there early and get fully settled in before I reported to my dream job. The day I arrived, the manager I'd been talking to turned in her resignation and anyone she'd talked to was put on hold because "what might fit for one manager might not fit for the next one." I knew I hadn't missed God on the move, but I couldn't figure out what went wrong. Anyway, long story short, I was absolutely miserable. I worked a temp agency job for months. When I finally did get a job at the original company, it was in HR, and I hated it. I cried every day on my way home. I just did not understand what God was doing nor why He'd moved me from my beloved Texas to do a job I hated. I wasn't happy.
Finally, I came to the place where I was on my face before God and laid it all at His feet. "Whatever You want, Father. If I'm here for no other reason than to be a part of the church where You've led me, then I will do that. I just don't want to miss Your will." Within a month, I had a job offer from the church where God had led me! It was His plan and purpose all along, but I would never have left Texas to work for a man I'd never met. I left Texas to live my life's dream. It didn't happen the way I wanted or had planned, but it turned out to be exactly where I was supposed to be at the time. And I still got to write for a living. God took my plans and altered them to fulfill His. Whatever works...
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for loving us enough to direct our steps, and for using whatever it takes to get us to our ordained destination. We want to follow closely in Your footsteps, Father. Shine the light of Your Word on our path to clearly mark the way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
Recently, I was reminded of two things: 1) that we should be sure to tell our testimonies of what God has done for us so that others can be encouraged and praise God with us, and 2) that God will use whatever works to get us where we need to be. So let me do that.
At the turn of the millennium, my career was in transition. I had gotten a couple job offers from out of state and had actually accepted one. It seemed like a good choice. I had discussed it with my youngest child who had for all practical intents and purposes moved out when he graduated and went to Master's Commission. He was excited for me and encouraged me to take the position.
Everything seemed like it was okay, but I felt like there was one missing piece and I couldn't put my finger on it. However, I moved forward with the process because I couldn't find a reason not to. I was one week away from moving when I went to see my son in Waco to spend the weekend with him. We had a good visit and then Sunday afternoon, as we were having our last meal together for a while, I told him I still felt like there was a piece missing and I had the feeling it was going to come from him and asked him if he had anything he wanted to say. At that point, he confessed that he was not ready for me to be 15 hours away, after all, but he didn't want that to stop me. Immediately, I had total peace. It was the missing part. I told him I was a mom first and an employee second, and I wasn't going anywhere, and that God would work it out.
And He did. My employer was only too happy for me to stay. My future employer was very understanding and said we'd talk in a couple years, and life went on.
A few years later, I got another offer from the same company, but for a different position. It was actually for my life-long dream position - to earn my living as a writer. In my mind, it couldn't get any better - I had no higher aspiration. That was it! I thought the only thing better than that would be to actually be in Heaven.
I packed up, and headed out. I had a tentative start date and I figured I'd get there early and get fully settled in before I reported to my dream job. The day I arrived, the manager I'd been talking to turned in her resignation and anyone she'd talked to was put on hold because "what might fit for one manager might not fit for the next one." I knew I hadn't missed God on the move, but I couldn't figure out what went wrong. Anyway, long story short, I was absolutely miserable. I worked a temp agency job for months. When I finally did get a job at the original company, it was in HR, and I hated it. I cried every day on my way home. I just did not understand what God was doing nor why He'd moved me from my beloved Texas to do a job I hated. I wasn't happy.
Finally, I came to the place where I was on my face before God and laid it all at His feet. "Whatever You want, Father. If I'm here for no other reason than to be a part of the church where You've led me, then I will do that. I just don't want to miss Your will." Within a month, I had a job offer from the church where God had led me! It was His plan and purpose all along, but I would never have left Texas to work for a man I'd never met. I left Texas to live my life's dream. It didn't happen the way I wanted or had planned, but it turned out to be exactly where I was supposed to be at the time. And I still got to write for a living. God took my plans and altered them to fulfill His. Whatever works...
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for loving us enough to direct our steps, and for using whatever it takes to get us to our ordained destination. We want to follow closely in Your footsteps, Father. Shine the light of Your Word on our path to clearly mark the way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Friday, January 9, 2015
* Whispering Hope
God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
Hebrews 6:17-19a NLT
Sometimes life is very hard. Sometimes, there doesn't seem to be an easy answer. And sometimes, it feels as though there are no answers at all. Proverbs 13:12 in the New Living reads, Hope deferred makes the heart sick... Have you ever been heartsick?
The same Scripture in the Message Bible reads, Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. I want to give you a good break. Jesus. Whisper His Name... That's a great contemporary Christian song popular today and I love it, but the one that has ministered to me this day is one I learned as a child with four-part harmony... Whispering Hope.
♪♫ Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard, Hope, with a gentle persuasion, whispers a comforting word; Wait till the darkness is over! Wait till the tempest is done! Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone. ♪♫ Whispering Hope! Oh, how welcome Thy voice! Making my heart in its' sorrow rejoice. ♪♫
It matters not to me what life brings for God is my Refuge and My Strength. He is my Hope - a strong and trustworthy anchor for my soul. And even when the world comes roaring in, I can hear His voice whispering hope to bring peace to my troubled soul.
Prayer:
Father,
You have given both Your promise and Your oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for You to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to You for refuge have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. You are our confident hope and we thank and praise You for that. With You, we can proclaim, "It is well with my soul!" In Jesus' Name. Amen
Hebrews 6:17-19a NLT
Sometimes life is very hard. Sometimes, there doesn't seem to be an easy answer. And sometimes, it feels as though there are no answers at all. Proverbs 13:12 in the New Living reads, Hope deferred makes the heart sick... Have you ever been heartsick?
The same Scripture in the Message Bible reads, Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. I want to give you a good break. Jesus. Whisper His Name... That's a great contemporary Christian song popular today and I love it, but the one that has ministered to me this day is one I learned as a child with four-part harmony... Whispering Hope.
♪♫ Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard, Hope, with a gentle persuasion, whispers a comforting word; Wait till the darkness is over! Wait till the tempest is done! Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone. ♪♫ Whispering Hope! Oh, how welcome Thy voice! Making my heart in its' sorrow rejoice. ♪♫
It matters not to me what life brings for God is my Refuge and My Strength. He is my Hope - a strong and trustworthy anchor for my soul. And even when the world comes roaring in, I can hear His voice whispering hope to bring peace to my troubled soul.
Prayer:
Father,
You have given both Your promise and Your oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for You to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to You for refuge have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. You are our confident hope and we thank and praise You for that. With You, we can proclaim, "It is well with my soul!" In Jesus' Name. Amen
Thursday, January 8, 2015
* You've Got Skills!
Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Hebrews 5:14 NLT
Skill development is a big deal. Go to Google* and type in 'develop skill' and you'll be amazed at what comes up. From Harvard Business Review to wiki.com, lots of people and organizations have opinions regarding what skills you need not only for work, but for LIFE. You'll find how long they say it takes to develop a skill, and it varies, but they all agree it takes a daily commitment and dedication to develop said skill.
In our passage today, the solid food reference has to do with the meat of the Word - the adult understanding and application of it. Don't you find it interesting that the skill acquired by training is the seemingly simple ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong?
Have we been training properly? Are we referring to the manual? Have we developed the skillset? Are we utilizing the skillset? If not, why not? We WILL be tested.
*www.google.com
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for using the simple things in life to confound the wise. Renew within us the desire and fight to do what is right. Holy Spirit, continue to train us to clearly see right from wrong as daily we seek God's face. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Hebrews 5:14 NLT
Skill development is a big deal. Go to Google* and type in 'develop skill' and you'll be amazed at what comes up. From Harvard Business Review to wiki.com, lots of people and organizations have opinions regarding what skills you need not only for work, but for LIFE. You'll find how long they say it takes to develop a skill, and it varies, but they all agree it takes a daily commitment and dedication to develop said skill.
In our passage today, the solid food reference has to do with the meat of the Word - the adult understanding and application of it. Don't you find it interesting that the skill acquired by training is the seemingly simple ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong?
Have we been training properly? Are we referring to the manual? Have we developed the skillset? Are we utilizing the skillset? If not, why not? We WILL be tested.
*www.google.com
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for using the simple things in life to confound the wise. Renew within us the desire and fight to do what is right. Holy Spirit, continue to train us to clearly see right from wrong as daily we seek God's face. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)